jayay
2024
I loved and enjoyed the game with all my heart. It was all I wanted from Dragons Dogma 2, simply more Dragons Dogma. And in the first 30 hours or so I was really satisfied with all of that. Unfortunately, as you progress you realize that the first 30 hours cover all the variety the game has to offer. After that the experience unfortunately becomes somewhat stale.
I had to put the game down after 40 hours or so and I'm mildly disappointed at the lack of innovation, but I also have to admit that before I put it down, I had some of the most fun I've had with a game in a long, long while. Though I haven't finished it, I'm satisfied putting it down now and just reflect on the fun this game brought me.
I had to put the game down after 40 hours or so and I'm mildly disappointed at the lack of innovation, but I also have to admit that before I put it down, I had some of the most fun I've had with a game in a long, long while. Though I haven't finished it, I'm satisfied putting it down now and just reflect on the fun this game brought me.
2018
This game remains one of my favourites in character writing but the gameplay doesn't lag far behind. The writing is an interesting exercise in seeing how hard characters can refuse to change when the world needs them to. The gameplay is tight and snappy and is graced with some very fun boss fights.
2022
At its heart, Life After Magic is a proper magical girl story that examines common themes like friendship during struggles, staying true to yourself and finding hope to overcome fear but with a focus on common struggles of adulthood.
This game does a very interesting thing the way it uses the magical girl theme to examine some very common real-life struggles. I like how compassionate it is in regards to how lost people feel once they reach adulthood, and how that feeling of being lost can linger around for a very long time. It uses its theme to look at a lot of different angles to the same struggle that is shared between all the main characters of this VN, which makes it feel like a very thorough examination of adulthood.
The epilogue ties up everything nicely and in a satisfying way too. I definitely recommend checking that one out once you finish the main game.
This game does a very interesting thing the way it uses the magical girl theme to examine some very common real-life struggles. I like how compassionate it is in regards to how lost people feel once they reach adulthood, and how that feeling of being lost can linger around for a very long time. It uses its theme to look at a lot of different angles to the same struggle that is shared between all the main characters of this VN, which makes it feel like a very thorough examination of adulthood.
The epilogue ties up everything nicely and in a satisfying way too. I definitely recommend checking that one out once you finish the main game.
2023
Incredibly relaxing game to boot up to wind down a little. Literally fishing-minigame made into a full blown game in all the best ways possible. Time flies as you try to complete your fishing log and upgrade your boat to catch even more fish. Great game.
Writing is very on the nose, but I appreciate what it tried to do. It feels genuine, and I appreciate the examination of female relationships. I like the ending too, it feels like it's trying to impart a message that's important to the writers. One of the better recent SH entries imo, but still nothing groundbreaking
2023
Viewed purely as a combat game for the gamer brain, this game is alright. The gameplay is nothing groundbreaking and quite repetitive. But appreciating the game for what it is makes this a really wonderful experience. The combat sections are short and you get to choose when you do them, the actual meat is in the conversations between the main characters that gradually unlock and are also viewable whenever you want them to be. I fell in love with the cast instantly, all of them very written with so much heart and feel so genuine. Because of that, the story also gets to the core of what it wants to tell you instantly. There's no beating around the bush, the characters are true and honest and the themes the game explores feel just as heartfelt.
I also need to add: This game is another entry into the growingly popular genre of sci-fi yuri. If you love that combination, you absolutely have to go for it. It's a must.
I also need to add: This game is another entry into the growingly popular genre of sci-fi yuri. If you love that combination, you absolutely have to go for it. It's a must.
2013
A very odd game to me. The beginning caught my immediate interest with how bombastic it was and how indulgent it handed out CGs. I was hooked! Then came a great lull as the game got lost in its own world building, where every conversation felt like its sole purpose was to explain the magic system in stilted explanations. It was a trudge for a good while, but eventually the crux of the story got introduced with a slow and meandering build up. I wasn't sure at first about the themes it presented because they felt heavy handed and clumsy, but somehow, out of nowhere, the conclusion was able to tie it all together in a very satisfying and emotional way. Every worry I had about the writing was made good on. The ending was not quite as bombastic as the beginning, but hooked me just as much, and made me immediately wishlist the sequel.
2023
Probably not only my favourite Fate entry, but also a big favourite of the year. Very good story, very fun gameplay, great art and wonderful voice work. The servant-master duos are some of my favourites in the franchise and they'll be very hard to beat for me. Seeing the culmination of the main characters relationship at the end was a wonderful cap-off to the journey.
Copied my steam review:
Wow, what an incredible and fun game. I haven't had a game grip me like that in a long while. The mystery is very intriguing to work out and the game gives you a lot of moments to make you piece the ongoing threads together on your own and the pay-offs always feel very rewarding. The character writing is really charming, I loved the Tetsuo & Erio and Harue & Richter duos especially. There's a lot of heart in the mysteries, the heartfelt moments and the comedy too. I really hope we're getting another Paranormasight
Wow, what an incredible and fun game. I haven't had a game grip me like that in a long while. The mystery is very intriguing to work out and the game gives you a lot of moments to make you piece the ongoing threads together on your own and the pay-offs always feel very rewarding. The character writing is really charming, I loved the Tetsuo & Erio and Harue & Richter duos especially. There's a lot of heart in the mysteries, the heartfelt moments and the comedy too. I really hope we're getting another Paranormasight
2023
Just copying over my steam review:
Ghostpia is a wonderful story about learning to cherish your friends despite your world weariness. I just finished this game, and it was an incredible ride. Everything about this game is amazing: the visual presentation, the music, the characters, the writing. There's a lot of heart in the exploration of Sayokos struggle to find her place in the world. She tends to get very negative, but gets quickly pulled out whenever her friends are around. It's very sweet seeing that dynamic evolve over the course of those 5 episodes.
I also really appreciate the great english translation work. The dialogue is definitely my favourite part. The game is in my opinion at its best when the characters' interactions bounce off of each other with their funny remarks and witty observations. Once they get going the scene really starts flowing, and that's both in thanks to the writers having a great grasp on who the characters are and the amazing translation transforming that writing into really enjoyable scenes.
I highly recommend this game. It's a real treat
Ghostpia is a wonderful story about learning to cherish your friends despite your world weariness. I just finished this game, and it was an incredible ride. Everything about this game is amazing: the visual presentation, the music, the characters, the writing. There's a lot of heart in the exploration of Sayokos struggle to find her place in the world. She tends to get very negative, but gets quickly pulled out whenever her friends are around. It's very sweet seeing that dynamic evolve over the course of those 5 episodes.
I also really appreciate the great english translation work. The dialogue is definitely my favourite part. The game is in my opinion at its best when the characters' interactions bounce off of each other with their funny remarks and witty observations. Once they get going the scene really starts flowing, and that's both in thanks to the writers having a great grasp on who the characters are and the amazing translation transforming that writing into really enjoyable scenes.
I highly recommend this game. It's a real treat
2018
Copied from my Steam review:
A really well written story with interesting and sympathetic characters and gorgeous art. While rooting for the supposed antagonists the game even got me to like the main character despite disliking him for the longest time. It's a mark of good writing, steering your perception around like that. Going for all the endings feels absolutely worth it, but I do recommend using a guide for it.
A really well written story with interesting and sympathetic characters and gorgeous art. While rooting for the supposed antagonists the game even got me to like the main character despite disliking him for the longest time. It's a mark of good writing, steering your perception around like that. Going for all the endings feels absolutely worth it, but I do recommend using a guide for it.
2019
Incredibly fun and relaxing puzzler. It's easy to lean back and just loose a couple of hours trying to make your quaint little islands
A very okay experience. The environments are beautifully rendered and the creatures are full of creativity. But sadly the technical side is so full of tiny bits that just stifle the enjoyment.
2018
God, what a meat grinder of an experience. But so worth it. It was all worth it. The gameplay is tightly entwined with the story and makes every bit of success all the sweeter. It all leads up to an incredible finale that will leave me stunned for a long while
2023
Coming back here after finishing Canto VI to say that I think this game has been proving itself as a masterclass in writing. It would be disingenuous not to mention the incredible soundtrack, artwork, combat system and everything that makes up the game. But I especially want to highlight how good the writing is. Observant players get rewarded at every corner, just as much as they will be surprised by the places the writing is willing to go to.
With every update, this game has been raising the bar by leaps and bounds. Every chapter is great and a vast improvement over the previous. It's exciting to watch where this game has been and will be going.
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Original review:
Story so far is incredibly good. The characters are great and you can tell the writers know how to deal with ensemble casts and put a lot of love into the world they've built so far. Just for that I recommend getting into this.
Dont wanna be a "gacha good" guy, but the gacha aspects arent really pervasive so far. The devs give out apology gifts every 2 seconds for every blunder and not getting your favourite identity doesn't feel like too much of a loss because of your limited and well balanced cast. Gacha generally still sucks tho.
With every update, this game has been raising the bar by leaps and bounds. Every chapter is great and a vast improvement over the previous. It's exciting to watch where this game has been and will be going.
----------------------
Original review:
Story so far is incredibly good. The characters are great and you can tell the writers know how to deal with ensemble casts and put a lot of love into the world they've built so far. Just for that I recommend getting into this.
Dont wanna be a "gacha good" guy, but the gacha aspects arent really pervasive so far. The devs give out apology gifts every 2 seconds for every blunder and not getting your favourite identity doesn't feel like too much of a loss because of your limited and well balanced cast. Gacha generally still sucks tho.